JAMMU, Sep 9: The Jammu and Kashmir government has said it is committed to hold local body elections in the state during this calendar year and the schedule for the same will be issued soon.

"The calendar for the purpose of holding civic polls in Jammu and Kashmir was being released shortly," said Sham Lal Sharma, the minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture.

Sharma, while addressing a public meeting in Akhnoor, assured that the polls will be held in a transparent manner, and asked the people to support candidates with a clean background.

He also emphasised on maintaining communal harmony and brotherhood during the elections.

The minister, who also distributed Kisan Credit Cards among the farmers here, asked the banks working in the area to improve their credit deposit ratio in the agriculture sector as per the guidelines of RBI.

He said banks should fulfil the credit needs of the people as per the requirement because to fulfil the purpose of their socio-economic emancipation.

Sharma said the state government was keen to exempt agriculture sector from all taxes to help banks invest major portion of their deposits in this sector.

State's economic self-reliance will be incomplete without promotion of agriculture, he noted.

Sharma also praised the performance of Jammu and Kashmir Bank and hailed that its vision was to reach out to remote and backward areas of the state.

The minister said the government was emphasising to promote self-employment schemes under Kisan Credit Cards.

Sharma directed the authorities to organise workshops for sarpanchs and panchs within one month to educate them about the benefits of Kisan Credit Cards.

JAMMU, Sep 9: A youth was arrested for allegedly raping a minor school girl and making a CD of the act, police said Sunday.
The 22-year youth was arrested on Saturday from Akhnoor border belt of the district, they said.
A case has been registered against the accused and the CD has been sent for forensic examination, police said, adding that further probe into the matter is on.